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WASHINGTON - Voters want urgent action to reduce the influence of big money in our elections, their concern about the influence of donors remains unabated, and there is bipartisan support for legislation to reduce the influence of big money in U.S. House and Senate races, according to polling conducted by Lake Research Partners and commissioned by Public Campaign Action Fund and Common Cause.

Seventy-five percent of voters agree that the amount of money spent on political ads this year is a "real threat" to our elections and Congress. Three in four voters surveyed support the Fair Elections Now Act, legislation that would allow candidates to run for office by relying on small contributions from their home state.

"The electorate might seem more polarized than ever before, but there's one thing voters of all parties can agree on-Congress must address the big money and special interest influence in our political system," said Nick Nyhart, executive director of Public Campaign Action Fund. "When Congress returns for the post-election session later this month, they should immediately take up and pass the Fair Elections Now Act."

"As we watch power switch once again in Congress from one political party to the other, one thing stays the same: special interest money dominates," said Bob Edgar, president and CEO of Common Cause. "We need to change the way we pay for political campaigns so Congress is not beholden to its big donors and the public interest is served."

Voters demand urgent action this year to curb the influence of money in our elections, according to the poll. Seventy-four percent of respondents said it was very or somewhat urgent for Congress "to take action this year to reduce the influence of wealthy special interests on our elections." This urgency crosses party lines, with 86% of Democrats, 77% of Independents, 60% of Tea Party supporters, and 66% of Republicans in agreement.

The Fair Elections Now Act passed the Committee on House Administration in September. If brought to the floor in the post-election session, the voters are in place for passage.

The poll of 1,200 general election voters was conducted by Lake Research Partners using professional interviewers between October 31 and November 2, 2010.

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THE LAST FIREWALL AGAINST THE LIES

Independent media has become the last firewall against government and corporate lies. Yet, with frightening regularity, independent media sources are losing funding, closing down or being blacked out by Google and Facebook. Never before has independent media been more endangered. If you believe in Common Dreams, if you believe in people-powered independent media, please support our critical Winter campaign now and help us fight—with truths—against the lies that would smother our democracy. Please help keep Common Dreams alive and growing.

Common Cause is a nonpartisan, nonprofit advocacy organization founded in 1970 by John Gardner as a vehicle for citizens to make their voices heard in the political process and to hold their elected leaders accountable to the public interest.

Further

Americans spent President's Day wishing we had one, honoring the 44 former actual ones we did have along with a few fictional contenders - Vote For Lisa Simpson! - and marching to protest the sick hollow shell of a human being now occupying a once-lofty office. Meanwhile, after just one ugly, tattered, inept, felonious year in office, The Cheeto has already been declared by 170 political pundits the worst president in history. What a surprise. Said no one ever.